Growing indoors under LED lights
Earlier this year I decided to upgrade my grow area with LED lighting to replace a small T5 lamp and window-only lighting that I'd used since starting to grow orchids about 4 years ago. There were a number of my cattleya and a cycnode that always had good growth each year but would never spike/flower and I was of the opinion that the light they were receiving just wasn't sufficient.
After a few suggestions from others that were already growing under lights I contacted a vendor that will custom build lights of the length desired with a mix of bulbs to provide a varied spectra that should enhance both growth in general and flowering. Ended up with two lights --- one 3' in length and one 4' foot in length based on the size of the tables that I would be using. For the 4' light I was able to use a commercial light stand, for the 3' light I constructed a stand from CPVC piping. The lights are approximately 2 foot above the plants.
Results have been as good as I hoped... both the cycnode Freckled Sweetheart and my Rlc. Island Charm 'O.C.' that have never bloomed in the three years I've had them bloomed this spring. Many of psuedobulbs on the cattleya are carrying sheaths and will hopefully provide blooms for me over the next few months.
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